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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/26/1995STEERING COMMITTEE 26 October 1995 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Thursday, 26 October 1995, at 7:30 p.m., in the Community Library, So. Burlington High School, Dorset St. Members Present City Council: Michael Flaherty, James Condos, William Cimonetti, David Maclaughlin, School Board: Theodore Manazir, Julie Duppstadt, Dennis Snyder, Robert Leclair, Bruce Chattman, Superintendent Also Present Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Marilyn Fredericks, Bill Smith, Clorinda Leddy, Liz Huen 1. Minutes of 10 August 1995: Mr. Chattman moved the Minutes of 10 August 1995 be approved as written. Ms. Duppstadt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. South Burlington School District Enrollment Projections: Mr. Smith congratulated the Steering Committee for their spirit of cooperation and noted that it is not always the case in other communities. Mr. Smith noted that enrollments at the schools continue to rise. In 1995-6, there were 37 new resident students, 14 more tuition students and 32 more Kindergarten students. There is enough data to show that the birth rate has turned down after reaching a peak in 1993. Both 1994 and 1995 are lower than projections. Migration gains are, however, back to historic levels. With regard to specific school, Mr. Smith said there are capacity constraints at only two: Orchard and the Middle School complex. In making his forecasts, Mr. Smith said he had used the current school population as a base. Kindergarten projections are made from births that happened 5 years ago. Community population figures come fro births, deaths, and migration. In-migration figures are derived from a 10-year history. Supt. Chattman said that the average class size in the elementary schools is 21. The average class size in the high school is 20. Mr. Smith added that when this reaches 22.5, it will be time to look at things more closely. He added that within 4-5 years, the total district capacity will be at the action limit. The Middle School and High School are already above the action limit and this is projected to get worse. Mr. Smith projected that they will be above maximum capacity within 5 years. Supt. Chattman noted that even with only South Burlington students, there will still be a problem by the year 2004. At the Middle School, they are already at the limit and will go way over very soon. The increases at the High School over the past 5 years have been from tuition students. At the present time 1/4 of the High School population is from tuition students. At the elementary school, the additions which were done are exactly the right fix. The projection is that the population will rise to the action limit but will not go above. There may, however, be pressure for neighborhood schools, since the projections are that Orchard School will be overburdened while there is still room at the other elementary schools. Supt. Chattman noted that these figures do not include an increase in the rate of new housing development. He also noted that many homes are being turned over from no-children residents to families with school age children. Mr. Smith said the district needs to plan for "spikes" which may occur such as in 1993. He noted it will take about 12 years for the children from that spike to work through the schools. Mr. Cimonetti noted the projections show that the elementary schools never hit the maximum average class size of 25. They only touch the 22.5 line and then head downward. Mr. Smith said that appears to be true, but he is not comfortable with any projections beyond 5 years as he doesn't know the birth rate beyond that time. Mr. Smith then reviewed the situation at specific schools. At Central School, the new classrooms will keep the school within the action limit. Chamberlin School has a fairly constant population and with the new rooms is within capacity. Orchard School will be above the action limit in 3 years and population will continue to rise. The question is whether to solve it with more construction or to move children around the district. Supt. Chattman said the school expansion program was the right thing to do, thanks to Mr. Smith's projections. He said the only current problem is at the Middle School where they had to hire another sixth grade teacher this year. Mr. Condos asked if other communities are losing students. Supt. Chattman said a survey is being done to try to answer that. In a survey conducted a few years ago, parents of new students said they came to S. Burlington because of the school system. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the position is now to accept tuition students up to capacity. Ms. Duppstadt said it is. Mr. Leclair noted that it is very helpful from a budgetary point of view. Mr. Manazir added that the mix is now acceptable. 3. South Burlington Family Center: Ms. Leddy gave members a program summary and said that the Center needs to decide where to go from here. There is interest by over 100 people in the fall programs, and the Center feels they are establishing a presence in the community. Ms. Huen said that about a year and a half ago, a steering committee put together a grant presentation and received a grant to assess community health needs. A survey was then done of So. Burlington school-age families as well as pediatricians, substance abuse counselors, etc., about services to young people. In addition, 8th graders through high school seniors were also surveyed about their use of health services. 95% of S. Burlington families have family doctors and most have medical insurance. A large percentage also have received preventive health care. 7% said they could not seek health care they felt they needed. Only 1% of those responding said they have Medicaid, but the Health Dept. says there may be more who did not respond. About half of those responding said they had sought health care for children from someone other than the family doctor. A large number of people are using the emergency room or immediate health care facilities. The survey looked closely at mental health services. 18% of those responding said they had used such services, and 54% said they would if there were worrisome behavior. About 4% of adults said they had felt the need for mental health services but could not afford them. About 25% of female students and 2% of male students also said they felt the need for mental health services but did not seek them. The main reason students gave was fear of involving their parents. 28% of students in grades 8-12 said they had seriously considered suicide. 23% said they had actually made a suicide plan. 10% had attempted suicide, and 4% had attempted suicide and needed medical treatment as a result. These figures compare poorly with the rest of the country, but the statistical base is very small. Ms. Huen also noted Vermont is in the top 10 states for suicide rate. Mr. Snyder suggested asking students why they had considered suicide. Students were also asked where they would go for help with mental health problems. The overwhelming majority said they would go first to their friends. Ms. Huen noted the results showed that a large number of teens are trying to solve serious problems (depression/stress, substance abuse, sexuality, etc.) without adult advice. She said this appears to be typical adolescent behavior. Parents of older students were more interested in school-based health programs, and parents of younger students were more interested in before and after-school programs. 4. School Improvement Project Update: Ms. Duppstadt reported that construction is winding down at the High School and Middle School. At Orchard, construction will continue through spring. They have found significant site and drainage problems, the implications of which will need further discussion. All buildings will now be energy efficient with all heating systems controlled from one computer. Ms. Duppstadt noted that staff and families have been very supportive of the work. Supt. Chattman said he had received fewer than 10 calls with concerns. He added that the construction work also benefits the community as a whole with additions to the Community Library for a children's room, an adult reading room, and conference/classrooms. Ms. Picard asked if the schools will be ready for the March election. Supt. Chattman said they would. Supt. Chattman said that when work is complete, there will be open house tours for the community. 5. Golf Course Proposal: Mr. Cimonetti reported there is a planned residential development on 440 acres which includes 230 or more residential units and about 200 acres of golf course. A private developer has had sketch plan review and is preparing formal project review. The City Council has revised and updated their thinking about park land procurement. He noted there is no city participation in the golf course project as it is presently proposed. Mr. Snyder asked if the golf course is built, would there be anything to prevent homes being built on the land in the future. Mr. Cimonetti said such a plan would have to go through the entire planning process. As there was no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.